SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- GSAC front-runner Azusa Pacific fell into a 17-point hole and nearly climbed out -- but it didn't. As a result Point Loma Nazarene held on for an 81-75 victory to hand the Cougars their first conference loss of the season.
 
Behind the play of GSAC Player of the Year Erin Kellar, Point Loma built a 49-32 halftime lead. The Crusaders buried 62% of their first-half shots and nailed 6 3-pointers over the final 15 minutes to overcome Azusa Pacific's early 8-point lead.
 
Keller, who finished with a school record 40 points on 15-for-20 shooting, tallied 22 in the first half.
 
Azusa Pacific needed 19 minutes to whittle away at the deficit and when Jacqueline Godoy made a lay-up with 49 seconds left the Cougars had pulled to within one at 75 74. However, Keller answered with a jumper in the key and when Azusa Pacific Allison Box missed a 3-point shot with 31 seconds left the comeback was over. The Crusaders made 4 free throws at the end to keep the Cougars at bay.
 
Point Loma knocks off Azusa Pacific for the sixth straight time in San Diego. The Cougars on PLNU's home court since 1995.
 
Godoy finished the game with a career-high 32 points. Freshman Paige Bateman came off the bench to chip in 17 points, including 16 in the second half.
 
The Cougars, who earlier this year beat Point Loma 85-56 in Azusa, fall to 15-6 overall and 11-1 in the GSAC.Ê In the process, they have their 11-game winning streak snapped.
 
Point Loma improves to 10-12 overall, 7-5 in the GSAC.